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MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI FINAL

posted 5 Jun 2017, 08:40 by John O'Sullivan

CLARE...........3-17 LIMERICK.............2-16

By Michael O Connor.

Objective
one achieved for Clare. Summer hurling attained without a backdoor key
required. Objective two will now focus in on at worst a competent
Munster final effort with success the end result if all facets of the
structure succeed. The headlines of this win over Limerick show the key
forwards on form backed up by positive efforts on each line. Behind the
headlines might read that defensive pace issues continue to exist and
that the positioning of Tony Kelly to facilitate others may hinder the
overall effectiveness of the team.

Limerick
for their part had a strong Clare with Paul Kinnerk and Joe O Connor
heavily involved with the management team as well as Alan Cunningham in
the background. Shane Dowling opened the scoring from a free and were
aided by the stiff breeze in the opening half. He added a second free by
the second free before Conor McGrath opened the Clare account. John
Conlon intercepted a ball on the wing and his long drive broke in the
Clare square and Shane O Donnell was on hand to first time to the net.
David Reidy and Paul Browne (sideline) added points before O Donnell
weaved through the Limerick defence for this second goal after 14
minutes. He added a point immediately after and now Clare were six
points clear. Eight points was the gap following points from Colm
Galvin and David Reidy as it appeard a champagne display was in the
offering from Clare.

The
next eight minutes, however quelled any thoughts of immediate all
Ireland glory for Clare as Limerick raced through Clare and indeed the
banner men were lucky not to concede as much more as they eventually
did. Limerick were level courtesy of a David Dempsey goal who was set up
by Cian Lynch. Peter Casey, Cian Lynch (2) and Shane Dowling were
amongst the point scorers.

Conor
Cleary responded from play as Clare regained the lead on the 30th
minute mark and the winning of the tie came about with the subsequent
strong showing of Clare in the final minutes with scores from Shane O
Donnell, David Reidy, Conor McGrath plus a super effort from Conlon that
left Clare (2-10) to (1-8) ahead at the break.

Following
the five minutes of Limerick superiority and the Clare recovery to go
in five points clear at the break the feeling was that Pat O Connor's
side had gained a strong level of control once again.

Clare
had two wides from frees by David Reidy in the early moments of the
second half as David Dempsey and sub Barry Nash narrowed the Limerick
deficit to three points. Both sides shared four points before the 47th
minute as Dowling (2) for Limerick with McGrath and Conlon with another
great point left Clare (2-12) to (1-12) ahead. Limerick were in control
of the game for large tracts of the third quarter but had no punch to
hurt Clare. Other more tier 1 teams given same chance would score goals
against Clare.

The
crucial score that hurt Limerick beyond repair was a deft flick to the
net by Conor McGrath with twenty minutes left to send Clare six clear.
Shane Dowling, David Reidy and impressive sub Jason McCarthy added
minors to leave Clare seven clear. Both sides emptied their benches with
the game in the last 15 minutes. Kyle Hayes and Pat Ryan narrowed the
Clare lead to five points. Seadna Morey raced up the field and made no
mistake from 60 yards. Aaron Cunningham won a penalty that was sent
inches wide by Tony Kelly who was replaced soon after. Ian Galvin who
will play for some years for Clare stretched Clare seven clear coming
into injury time before Kyle Hayes struck for a consolation goal.

Had
it been announced before the game that Aron Shanagher, Podge Collins,
Tony Kelly, David Reidy and Colm Galvin would score only one point from
play Limerick's odds would have been drastically culled. More to work on
for Clare but the potential is there if currently dormant.

Best
for Clare included Seadna Morey, David McIneney, Podge Collins, John
Conlon, Jason McCarthy, Shane O Donnell, Conor McGrath, Colm Galvin and
Conor Cleary in patches. Limerick showed glimpses of promise but no
consistency. An improvement in the latter could see John Kiely's men
offer a strong challenge in the qualifiers. Best for the Shannonsiders
included Kyle Hayes, Shane Dowling from frees, Paul Browne, Cian Lynch
in the first half, Barry Nash, Seamus Hickey, Dan Morrissey and David
Dempsey.